Hundreds of frightened residents flooded Hillsboro City Hall demanding protection from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), whose recent raids have terrorized Oregon’s most diverse city. As stories of arrests and abductions spread across the community, tensions reached a breaking point. A viral speech by a teenage boy has now become the rallying cry of a town gripped by fear and desperate for leadership.
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Fear Spreads Through Hillsboro
The meeting, called to address the chaos caused by ongoing ICE operations, drew hundreds of residents, most from the city’s large Hispanic and Latino community. Hillsboro, home to more than 25,000 Latino residents, has seen a wave of detentions under President Trump’s renewed deportation push. For many, these arrests appear to target people based solely on ethnicity, not criminal history. Families now live in daily fear of being separated without warning.
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Hope Turns Into Disillusionment
Expecting the City Council to act, residents packed City Hall after Washington County declared a state of emergency earlier that same day. But their hope quickly faded when officials repeated that there was “nothing we can legally do.” City funds were reserved for business relief, but no direct plan emerged to protect residents. As the night dragged on, optimism dissolved into disbelief and anger.
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Tense Divide in the Chamber
When the main session began, dozens of community members—many in tears—pleaded with leaders to act. Their message was clear: fear has become an emergency. Businesses are collapsing as Latino families stay home, and residents across all backgrounds are terrified. Councilor Olivia Alcaire warned that those most at risk should avoid public gatherings, deepening frustration as city leaders failed to match the community’s urgency.
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Police Chief’s Difficult Balancing Act
Police Chief Jim Coleman, visibly conflicted, explained that local officers are legally bound by state and federal law. He emphasized, “We are committed to protecting and serving the people of Hillsboro… but making exceptions under any circumstances is the beginning of a slippery slope.” Coleman confirmed that while HPD does not use surveillance systems like FLOCK cameras, it cannot interfere with ICE operations. He reassured residents that officers respond to 911 calls and investigate suspicious arrests, but his cautious tone left many unconvinced.
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Councilor Salgado’s Rejected Plan
Councilor Cristian Salgado, drawing from his own experiences of living in fear as a child, proposed a detailed plan to establish a Civil and Human Rights Department, deploy neutral witnesses during ICE operations, and document all enforcement activity. His proposal was the only actionable idea of the night—but Mayor Beach Pace and the City Attorney dismissed it, citing legal barriers. Many in attendance saw this as a lost opportunity for real progress.
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Community’s Heartbreaking Testimonies
One by one, residents shared devastating personal stories. A teenager named Manny, whose plea for help has gone viral online, told councilors he fears losing his parents at any moment. Others described children traumatized by arrests near schools, families torn apart, and small businesses on the verge of collapse. “We are judged by our skin color and speech,” Manny said, fighting tears. “Please make a change.” Business owners, parents, and students echoed the same demand—protection and dignity.
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Leadership Under Fire
Mayor Beach Pace maintained composure but offered little more than empathy. “There is nothing we can legally do,” she repeated, as calls for stronger leadership intensified. Critics accused the city of hiding behind legal formalities while the community suffers. Councilor Salgado’s sidelined proposal symbolized what many saw as the city’s paralysis in the face of crisis. Residents left City Hall feeling more fearful and abandoned than when they arrived.
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The City’s Defining Moment
As the night ended, one truth resonated through the tear-filled auditorium—Hillsboro is already in a state of emergency. ICE activity has destabilized families, businesses, and trust in local governance. The crowd’s message was unmistakable: if leaders cannot act, the people will. Teachers, neighbors, and youth now stand as Hillsboro’s defenders, determined not to let fear define their future.